The Most Flavorful Seafood in Boston

Neptune Oyster

★★★★☆ 4.3 (6447)

"First, be prepared for a line because it's that popular. I stood in line for about a half an hour, but what's so great about that as you get to know the people in line from all over the world and once you get your one seat at the bar you realize how cool this place is.Then you meet Bianca. She's going to take care of you in every possible food way... OK and wine.I had the fried clams which were fantastic and then because of Yelp, I was given a plate of Crudo that was remarkable. I had to share it with my neighbors, what a great gift from a restaurant.I walked away with new friends and Bianca and another great experience at Neptune. That's all you can expect in a restaurant 3000 miles away. Loved it."

Giacomo's Ristorante - Boston

★★★★☆ 4.2 (4299) • $$

"What a wonderful dining experience at Giacomo's in Boston's North End! There are so many amazing restaurants in the North End, but the reviews for Giacomo's were so high that I had to give it a try. I initially tried to visit during the long Labor Day weekend, but the line went down the block, so I decided to come back another day. I'm glad I did! I only ended up waiting a few minutes before being seated.I ordered 1 of the specials lobster and shrimp in a scampi sauce over their homemade fusilli pasta, and it was absolutely delicious. Giacomo's is a cash-only establishment, but there's an ATM within the restaurant, which is very convenient. It a fantastic, homemade pasta and sauces that are worth the wait."

Atlantic Fish

★★★★☆ 4.2 (3189) • $$$

"Excellent service unless it's overly crowded and that can happen. Our waitress went above and beyond. Our special occasion dinner was fabulous mainly because-Whole Maine Lobster-Cocktails are fabulous-Crusty bread - chewy airy stretchy interior -Ambiance and location / old-world style-Our waitress was awesome-We were in tourist mode not locals although one of us just moved to BostonExcellent location to walk around ...after or before dinnerReservations are recommended. It gets VERY VERY crowded and long lines"

Union Oyster House

★★★★☆ 3.5 (3785) • $$

"It's been open since 1826 when John Quincy Adams was President. I'm not sure it's such a privilege to dine in "America's oldest restaurant". I'll just repeat what Martin Short said to Ellen Degeneres when he appeared on her talk show once: "It's a thrill to be here. It's not only a thrill, it's an obligation." So as a tourist, I can now assert I felt obligated to eat America's oldest restaurant. Check.Jamie W and I were walking the Freedom Trail - what else? - and came upon this historic landmark. We weren't even hungry, but we felt a need to enter to see what I would've felt like as a colonist having a lunch meeting here. We were seated in one of the red patent leather booths on the main floor admiring all the early 19th century period decor they've provided on the walls and in the nooks and crannies.We ordered a couple of the $9.95 cups of the Oyster House Clam Chowder, and the soup was rich and pretty satisfying (photo: https://yelp.to/COQ1RONCFd). It came with the little packages of oyster crackers, of course, and a nice square of crumbly cornbread with butter (photo: https://yelp.to/4SGT0SzbXl). To complement the chowder, we also had the $19.95 1/2-dozen Freshly Shucked Oysters on the half shell (photo: https://yelp.to/ut6wm63WAp). Slurpy delish and vintage appropriate.FOOD - 4 stars...good standards for an oyster houseAMBIANCE - 3.5 stars...yep, they're big on the vintage decor hereSERVICE - 4 stars...a nice young server, very attentiveTOTAL - 4 stars...fulfilled our obligation to eat at America's oldest restaurant RELATED - Exploring Boston? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3XtfnFc"

Yankee Lobster

★★★★☆ 4.1 (2343) • $$$

"I am SO HAPPY that Yankee Lobster Co was recommended to me. Easy 5 stars without question! Yankee Lobster is a charming, no-frills establishment serving a phenomenal local classic dish. What's more is how welcoming they were to us and our little dog. They have a few tables out front on the sidewalk and then a side dining patio. Table service isn't available, so your pupper will need to remain outside when you place your order at the counter inside. For our visit, we ordered the butter lobster roll ($37) which was so rich and jam packed with delectable lobster, along with a fried shrimp appetizer ($15) and a Lobster Juice drink (which is a raspberry lime soda)! Everything was a hit, and the portions were definitely enough for two people to share. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at this pleasant place. Bonus: they offer dedicated FREE 2 hour PARKING for their customers! Only about 6 parking spots are available, but still, awesome! If there's no spots available, there's a pay-for parking lot right behind Yankee Lobster. Excellent place that I highly recommend you try!"

Pauli's

★★★★☆ 4.4 (1612) • $$

"Place seemed hoppin'Stopped in because i saw the sign for some clam chowda! The lady enjoy some chowder occasionally and so i popped in. I think it was about $11 for a half quart plastic container.Came out in about 5-10 minutes, and was piping hot. The chowder base was a tad more watery than i like, I'm more a fan of the thicker chowder. However, it has plenty of clams, potatoes and it was enjoyable. Add some salt pepper and crackers and you good to go.Would return. Staff was quick and nice with it. Place had plenty of people eating lunch. Their menu is pretty extensive and is written on all the walls. They have lobster rolls cold / toasted with butter and also some custom styles."

Boston Sail Loft

★★★★☆ 4.3 (1626) • $$

"This area is popping on the weekends! Parking is difficult so we ended up just paying for the lot ($18+) after circling around the block a few times. We arrived fairly late at night around 9:30pm and were seated right away. Service was good and food came out quickly. We ordered Clam Chowder based on reviews and it did not disappoint! We also ordered the New England Lobster Roll, which I thought was overpriced but good enough. The fries were nice because they were crispy and thick. After eating we walked around North End to explore the area. Definitely worth checking out if you are a tourist here!"

Abe & Louie's

★★★★☆ 4 (1763) • $$$

"I would consider Abe and Louise, a boutique style steakhouse, being that they only have two locations; Boca Raton, Florida, and Boston, Massachusetts. I have been to both locations now and I must say I am very happy with the service, ambience, food, quality, differentiation of products.From my daughter's 19th birthday, she decided she wanted to go for a meal at a steakhouse specifically in downtown Boston we decided to come here after a so-so experience at the palm restaurant in Boston as well as a terrible meal at Smith and Wolinsky up in Burlington Massachusetts. I called the restaurant ahead of time to notify them of my daughter's birthday and to ask them if I could bring a dairy free cake as she has a sensitivity. I was told that that was absolutely fine and they do not charge for bringing in your own birthday celebration cake The food was out of this world, and I still have cravings for the brussels sprout sides, as well as the creamed spinach. As I write this, I'm also thinking about the large hash brown, which was also equally amazing. From the bread that was brought to the table to hitting the temperatures on the steaks and sitting right by the windows it was a wonderful dining experience. The only thing that I would suggest going forward is that they figure out a way to distinguish between flatwater classes and sparkling water glasses Because on three separate times, the buses came over to fill our cups with flatwater one in fact we had sparkling. One of the times we didn't catch them and they essentially ruined our water. We needed to have them fix this by giving us a new bottle of water.We will be back. It was a great meal."

Barking Crab

★★★☆☆ 3.2 (2735)

"We walked by this spot on our way back to the hotel. Staff were nice enough and the seafood was fresh and delicious. The snow crab legs were so juicy and tasty. We got a table right by the water and it was just beautiful. Overall I'd say give it a try!"

Al Dente Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (1553) • $$

"4 stars for the food and an extra star for the service.Made a reservation earlier in the day, arrived in time and got seated by the great host right away.Small cosy, traditional, a little noisy but awesome little local Italian in a great part of North End.Food was super fresh, quick and tasty. Puttanesca was nice and tasty, as was the Veal special. The sauces could maybe use just a little more flavor, salt, pepper etc, but with the home made pasta all was very tasty as was the caprese salad.Lots to choose from on the menu.The service from Joanna made the night awesome. Super friendly, attentive, and homely Boston service.Definitely recommend if you don't feel like lining up at the other couple hyped restaurants."

Grill 23 & Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (1297) • $$$$

"One of my favorite spots to go to for special occasions! Grill 23 & Bar has been around for many years now and does not have as much of a modern look as the newer steakhouses in Boston but the food still continues to win me over! I enjoy their fried calamari fra diavolo appetizerc seared scallops, and filet mignon oscar style! Desserts here are also a must. Lots of street parking available around, as well. I still think Grill 23 & Bar is a lot better than many of the newer spots... food quality & taste wise. An Oldie but STILL a goodie!"

Alive & Kicking Lobsters

★★★★☆ 4.4 (1011) • $$

"I really wanted to try a solid lobster roll while visiting Boston and Alive & Kicking Lobsters was recommended as an delicious place to stop by to fulfill that wish. I stopped by Alive and Kicking on a Wednesday around noon to check this place out.Parking seems to be mostly streetside to the restaurant, as it feels like its located just in a neighborhood as there are residential houses/apartments surrounding the location. Service is casual, you order your food at the cash register and they hand you a number, and then someone brings out your food to the corresponding tray, and you bus your own tables afterwards.As for food, the lobster sandwich was specifically recommended as the item to get while stopping by. This is a very solid lobster sandwich! As you can see in the photos, it is literally jam packed with lobster - there is no skimping, and the lobster is an inch thick from crust to crust. There isn't too much added to the lobster other than a slight bit of mayo I think, and also the bread is really plain too - which really highlights the freshness of the lobster. Each toothsome bite is satisfying, and you'll finish the sandwich before you know it. Though it is almost $40 for a sandwich, most places seem to offer an "overstuffed" lobster roll for a similar price that doesn't even have that much more lobster than the standard lobster roll. I would say for Boston, this was one of the better places that I've tried during my visit. Though the price may be hefty to some, you definitely get what you pay for! The sandwich is absolutely loaded with lobster and it tastes pretty fresh, a very solid lobster related option in comparison to the other rolls that I have tried so far in the area - I would definitely revisit if I'm in Boston and looking to splurge on a delicious lobster meal."

Bootleg Special

★★★★☆ 4 (1178) • $$

"PHENOMENAL!Let me type that one more time...PHENOMENAL!First off the service was SO GREAT. Like above and beyond. I'm almost positive our server's name was Denise (I apologize if I got that incorrect). Her customer service was the highlight of our day. The ambiance is dope. Lighting was chill. Music was chill. Just wish the AC was a little bit more chill, but that was not a problem. Cool artwork on the walls. Now the food. OMG sooooo Dee-LISH. I had the bootleg Benedict eggs. I can't put into words how good it was. I shared soufflé pancakes with my wife and that was amazing too. I highly HIGHLY recommend this spot!TWO THUMBS ALL THE WAY UP!!!"

FuGaKyu Japanese Cuisine - Brookline

★★★★☆ 3.7 (1376) • $$

"The person answering the phone is so rude. The food was good. The service not as attentive as I would have liked, just ok. The place is nicely decorated."

Pho Pasteur

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (1591) • $$

"My friends and I stopped in at Pho Pasteur late on a Friday night. We actually stayed until closing. The staff was very kind about informing us that it was almost time to close. It's a pretty casual spot, so don't expect fine dining! You know it's a good sign when it's always busy.Sadly I lost the pictures of the actual food... but thankfully I still had the reciept, so I know exactly what we ordered! We started out with the Spring Rolls, which were absolutely fresh and delicious. Nothing beats the sauce on the side. Two of us got the Beef Noodle Soup and one got the Vegetable and Tofu Noodle Soup. Both soups were excellent and the potions were huge!"

Taiwan Café

★★★★☆ 3.6 (1348) • $$

"Family style dining on a work trip, made a reservation for 8 and they gave us the round table with the lazy Susan on it. We ordered several dishes from their big menu and honestly everything was a hit. Fan favorites included the spicy white fish with vegetables, noodles with shrimp, chicken fried rice, and chicken with eggplant. The black truffle soup dumplings in my opinion were just ok and not worth the price. All in all a great meal and at a very reasonable price point. Our whole group left stuffed and happy."

Little Donkey

★★★★☆ 3.9 (1011) • $$$

"Little Doneky is a great spot! I've been there a handful of times, only for drinks, but I've heard the food is pretty good. On my most recent visit, I ordered the Painkiller, which had a nice flavor and was actually a very large drink. I was able to nurse it for about 2 hours with no issue! I recall having the sangria on another occasion and it was also decent.Location wise, it's super convenient, right in the middle of Central Square. I'd recommend sitting at the bar if you're looking for more of a casual vibe."

Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar

★★★★☆ 4 (804) • $$

"Sitting right at the corner of a super busy city street is Loco Taqueria. This place has a little bit of everything although it's primarily a Mexican and seafood place. They have pretty cheap oysters and the mignonette sauce that accompanied them was great. I loved the birria Tacos. Just oozing with flavor. Style wise the ceviche though is the best looking dish with it scooped into little plantain cups. Loved the outdoor patio and they do have a ton of umbrellas there for shade/rain protection."

BenCotto - Boston

★★★★☆ 4.1 (715) • $$

"We come to Boston every year and honestly I found one place that we always frequent. So I was a little hesitant to venture out to a new (to me) place in the North End, when I already had my go to.It's a quaint restaurant just like so many. They were able to accommodate our table of 6 the morning of a Saturday night. Once we go there it was only a 5 minute wait and the shuffled us off downstairs to the basement. Wow was it cool though. Live the history of these restaurants.Our server was Adriana and she was incredible! She checked on us frequently and so friendly, but never imposing. We started with the pumpkin ravioli and it was out of this world amazing! How could anybody top that. Then my dinner came. I had ordered the sausage carbonara. If it tasted nearly as good as it smelled...then I would be happy. Words can't even explain how amazing it tasted! Fresh and savory but that sausage was unbelievably good. I now have a new favorite! Can't wait to come back next year."

Muqueca Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (711) • $$

"Considering I live in the area, I really had no excuse for waiting so long to check this place out! There's a bunch of Portuguese on Cambridge Street, but this spot is actually Brazilian. Despite coming on a Sunday night, it was actually pretty busy, so that's always a good sign! The decor was fairly nice, without being overly upscale.To start, we shared the Brazilian Patties. They came in either cod or chicken, so we tried both, and I preferred the cod. For the main course, we split the Moqueca, which was delicious! If you're into fish, this is the way to go. Definitely get the option with the most seafood in it. My only complaint was that the dish was a bit salty for my liking, but I absolutely loved the unique flavor. If you need to tone down the salty taste, go for one of their juices. Highly recommend if you're looking to try something different!"

Turner's Seafood

★★★★☆ 3.9 (777) • $$$

"I love the interior and the busy-ness of this place certainly indicates it's popularity. I sort of regret my selection, which was a piece of fish basically swimming in heavy cream. I know-it's what I ordered, but it wasn't something I could'nt've made at home. My dining companions had dishes that looked excellent and they loved it. Great atmosphere and I'd come back to try other dishes."

Harvest

★★★★☆ 3.7 (759) • $$$

"I must say, Harvest is one of my top restaurants in the Cambridge/Boston area. I came here this past week with colleagues who had flown in from the west coast.Once you actually locate Harvest down the little alley it is in, and you get around the somewhat confusing path to the restaurant, it is like a little--or rather, not to small--oasis. We were promptly shown to our table and offered helpful menu explanations from our server, who was very attentive.We shared the asparagus appetizer, and can I just say that I typically don't even like asparagus, but thought it was actually really good here? Maybe I will give this previously disliked vegetable another change. I ordered the lamb chops for my entree, which were cooked perfectly, and essentially were made the way lamb chops should be prepared. They had a very nice pumpkin dessert that had a nice crunch to it. This was really a relaxing dinner and is a great place to go, whether with friends or colleagues. I'm sure I will be back!"

Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar

★★★★☆ 3.7 (755) • $$

"My husband and I haven't been here in probably ten years, and I'm so glad we tried it again! I appreciate that even though they are known for whiskeys, they have a Zero proof cocktail list. I enjoyed the yummy mango rosemary one. I was also really impressed with our server, Nicole who had memorized my extensive list of allergies upon arrival and had great recommendations!We started with the straciatella eggplant focaccia with pomegranate, basil oil, and balsamic reduction which was unique, and my husband devoured it. I enjoyed the pan fried gnocchi with cauliflower cream which was an awesome vegetarian dish with a great texture and flavor- you would never know there was cauliflower in it because it tasted so cheesy with sage and rosemary. My husband had the steak paillard, which he said was ok.For dessert, you may think you've had great bread pudding before, until you try this toffee bread pudding which is somehow a light yet custardy masterpiece and not cloyingly sweet (sorry Eastern Standard). Also, they validate parking at a nearby lot...I already want to go back!"

The Hourly Oyster House

★★★★☆ 4.2 (548) • $$$

"Came here for dinner (made reservations) and got seated at the Oyster Bar which was a fun view to see all the different oysters get shucked. For two, we got the fried oysters, clam chowder, a few different East Coast oysters and a lobster roll. The lobster roll is a heavier dish as expected so I'm glad we just got a few smaller starters to share. Everything was delicious, our server was very friendly and attentive even on a busy evening, lively ambiance, and the restaurant is located in a convenient area!"

Bottega di Capri

★★★★☆ 4.3 (472) • $$

"Small Italian restaurant with delicious food and great service. Highly recommended! Ravioli is great. Would definitely come back again."

Belle Isle Seafood

★★★★☆ 3.6 (652) • $$

"We were craving some fried seafood like crazy and finally decided to try Belle Isle. It absolutely did not disappoint! We went around 7pm on a saturday and waited for about 30 minutes. The beautiful water and city views make the wait go by quickly! We started with some drinks and their prices are very reasonable for cocktails, beer, and wine.We ordered the fried scallops dinner and the crab cake dinner. The fishermans platters and lobster rolls that kept coming out looked so delicious while we waited. The wait for our food was quite long but it was so worth it. My friend scallops were big, crispy, and percect, and my fiance loved his crab cakes. I had so many scallops that I shared several during dinner AND took a few home too. The prices might seem high at first glance, but for fresh seafood and big portions you cannot go wrong. Dont listen to the haters, try Belle Isle!!"

Hong Kong Eatery

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (720) • $$

"Hong Kong Eatery has been around since I was a kid! We used to get smoothies at the spot that was next door and eat here. Nowadays, I come here for takeout every so often. Depending on how I'm feeling, I'll either get a beef chow fun ( 乾炒牛河) or 3 meats over rice plate (三拼飯), with extra ginger scallion sauce! For the three meats, I like to get char siu 叉烧, soy sauce chicken 豉油鸡, and either duck 烤鴨 or octopus if they have it. I also enjoy their cold plate options, just to snack on. I love the cold spicy chicken feet and sometimes duck feet. Very quick service here, even if the line is out the door. Food is made fast, 5-10min ready. As for sit down/dine in, I haven't sat down to eat here in a minute. I've gotten very used to just ordering takeout from here and be on my merry way."

Ristorante Saraceno

★★★★☆ 3.7 (605)

"We had a delightful experience at Saraceno welcomed by Franco el capo di capi when it comes to knowledge of Italian pasta. My wife and I dropped off our son to College and wanted to celebrate the event going to one of the very best Italian in the North End. We were not disappointed. We started with two Proseccos then a some fried calamari. I love the tagliatelle con Sarde. They made it with a tomato based fragrant sauce with onions, fennel, raisins, pine nuts, anchovies, sardines, and olive oil. I was absolutely perfect. The pasta a la vongole with white wine was also to die for. Service was very pleasant and attentive. The atmosphere was the best as we were sitting in the front spoke to everyone around us who were all natives from Boston and returning customers. The food was amazing. We will be back! Mille grazie Franko!"

The Stockyard Restaurant

★★★★☆ 3.9 (516) • $$$

"The Stockyard keeps going to the bitter end! First, great parking lot. It's huge. It also feels quieter, and belies how close you are to Boston. The restaurant is also huge, I think I counted three dining rooms and a huge bar. I got there on the later side, and even as people were slowly filing out the servers kept going with food and drinks. Fantastic staff!The portions were huge. My burger was delicious and well seasoned. The fries were a bit of a mix in crisp, but if I lived in the area it would have been enough for lunch the next day."

Waypoint

★★★★☆ 3.9 (504) • $$$

"We came in today with 5 of us for Mother's Day brunch; it was a 3-course pre fixe menu for $49. The food was quite good, and portions were very generous. For the first course we tried the Caesar salad and the Hash brown topped w/ smoked fish salad and smoked trout roe (very good). For the entree we had the Uni Bucatini topped w/ egg yolk - really creamy and delicious, their famous burger, and the Steak and eggs Benedict. All good. Then for dessert the rhubarb and strawberry Crostata topped w/ ginger ice cream and basil. Wow. Only downside was the slow service. We told them right when we arrived at 11 that we needed to leave by 12:30 to catch a plane, and the first course didn't arrive until an hour later, the entree half hour after that at 12:30, and dessert at 12:40, so had only a few moments to scarf our dessert and get out 15 minutes late. So stressful, but overall a nice Mother's Day meal."

Eventide - Fenway

★★★★☆ 3.9 (503) • $$

"Eventide is a popular restaurant from Portland Maine, who have recently expanded to Boston. Located steps from Fenway Park, the restaurant is casual, but refined enough for a nice date. Their Brown Butter Lobster Roll scored them a James Beard Award, and they offer a fantastic selection of local oysters.I started with the innovative "Dirty Dirty Martini", which features oyster vodka, olive brine, oyster brine, and hot sauce. I feared it would be overly salty, but it was perfect, tasting of the ocean in a way that was not cloying. My brothers enjoyed some IPAs from Maine, which were served ice cold. Get at least a dozen oysters. We opted for one of each of the day's offerings, and everything fresh and delicious. Some were naturally plump and sweet, others umami rich and savory. I also recommend the Caesar Salad, which is a large shareable portion, topped with huge Boquerones. The Brown Butter Lobster Roll lived up to the hype. The lobster was buttery, enhanced by the sauce, and served on a fluffy steamed bun. Interesting choice, but it really does work. I liked the Cold Lobster Roll even better; the high quality of ingredients was apparent. Skip the Fried Calamari, which was mostly breading. The Graffiti Eggplant had a unique black sesame sauce, but I found it to be under salted. The Whoopie Pie was dry. Go for the Brown Butter Soft Serve instead, which I believe they make fresh in house."

Vinoteca di Monica

★★★★☆ 3.6 (585) • $$

"Tasty. From the bread to the appetizers to the entries. The waitstaff were super friendly. The tables were comfortable. Worth a try."

Mare

★★★★☆ 3.8 (516) • $$$

"What I liked:- Great service - impressive wine selection and seafood options. Nice to see places with lobster and swordfish. - nice outdoor patio- good vibesOne suggestion for management:- I ordered the lobster spaghetti. Having the split lobster with un-cracked claws under a pile of spaghetti with tomato sauce made the act of eating the lobster messier than usual. It might be sensible to have the spaghetti and shelled and in-cracked lobster on separate plates."

North End Fish Market

★★★★☆ 4.4 (384) • $$

"North End is a really small shop that doesn't stand out much in appearance but really delivers in food quality and service. LOBSTER ROLLI tried 3 of Boston's top ranked lobster rolls and North End's ended up being my favorite. I was a bit surprised that this was my favorite since I favor hot lobster. The interesting thing was that the 3 rolls I tried varied in both size and price quite drastically. I'd describe North End's lobster roll as medium sized. At $18, North End's lobster roll was easily the best value of the lobster rolls I saw in town.The lobster roll here has great balance. The cold lobster tastes great and the toasted bread works perfectly together. I loved the structure of the roll. It all held together till my last bite. Visually, it wasn't the greatest. Since all food is take out here, the rolls are just wrapped up and handed to you in a bag. SERVICEFriendly, welcoming people."

Shan-A-Punjab

★★★★☆ 3.8 (506) • $$

"Shan-A-Punjab is a great spot! Upon arrival, the waiter brought out some complimentary papadum to the table, which was the perfect way to start out the meal. I really enjoyed trying the 3 sauces it came with, each of which had a totally different flavor.We ordered garlic naan, lamb curry, and duck vindaloo. The entrees came with plenty of rice, which helped to soak up the curry, in addition to the naan. If you're a fan of spice, order the curry spicy for a nice kick.Overall, it seems like this is more of a takeout spot, but the restaurant itself has a decent ambiance. I think it's worthwhile to dine in, even if just to try the papadum! Pro tip: I checked in on Yelp and received 10% off. I was impressed that they honored the discount, gold star in my book!"